CU Independent sports staff assesses the 2013 season:
Football
It’s not going to be pretty, but Buffs football should have a fighting chance this season under new coach Mike MacIntyre. We predict them to win three games this year under the new leadership.
Paul Richardson completes a reception against Cal Sept. 11, 2011. (James Bradbury/CU Independent File)
Sefo Liufau will most likely be the starter by week three or four and will give the team a shot of energy. Paul Richardson will have a huge year and likely up his draft stock after a bad knee injury kept him out all of last year.
As fellow CU students we only really care about them beating CSU.
Volleyball
The Buffs’ volleyball team is turning to Taylor Simpson, a transfer from Missouri, and Kerra Schroeder, injured last season, to better their .500 average in 2012. Before Schroeder went down, she was the best hitter on the team.
The team has seven incoming freshman and are led by freshman star Katelyn Cuff. The women’s team will play five top-5 teams this year and we’re expecting good showings from them.
Carrie Verdon runs in Balch Fieldhouse in Spring 2013. (Photo Illustration Nate Bruzdzinski/CU Independent File)
Cross Country
In cross country, the Buffs’ men’s team is third in the nation and the women aren’t far behind at No. 14. The women are No. 1 in the Mountain Region while the men are No. 2.
The Pac-12 championships will be held in Boulder Nov. 2, when the team should get a boost from a home course advantage. Ammar Moussa is a returning sophomore who stood out in 2012 as true freshman and should have big numbers this year.
Carrie Verdon will be the Buffs’ top women’s performer. Last year as she made the USA world cross country team.
Soccer
After winning only eight games last year, the Buffs struck gold with freshman Brie Hooks. She was a standout in high school, winning three state championships and scoring 36 goals. The Buffs went undefeated in their spring schedule. Six of the losses last year came in overtime and the women only lost one game by more than one goal.
This year, the midfield needs improvement but all signs point to an exciting season.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Scott Annis at Scott.annis@colorado.edu.
